MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation

By: Senator(s) White (29th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-5-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE REQUIREMENT OF SAFETY CONNECTIONS FOR A TOWED VEHICLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-5-25. (1) Every trailer which shall be towed on the public highways at a speed in excess of twenty (20) miles per hour shall be coupled to the towing vehicle by means of a safety chain, chains, cables, or equivalent devices in addition to the regular trailer hitch or coupling. All safety chains and attachments also shall have a positive means of ensuring that the safety connection or attachment does not become dislodged while in transit. This requirement does not apply to a semitrailer having a connecting device composed of a fifth wheel and kingpin assembly meeting the requirements of the Interstate Commerce Commission, nor to a pole, pipe, casing, long or piling dolly. No more slack shall be left in any such safety chains, cables or equivalent devices than shall be necessary to permit proper turning. The safety chains, cables or equivalent device shall be so connected to the towed and towing vehicles and to the drawbar to prevent the drawbar from dropping to the ground if the drawbar fails, and shall be of sufficient strength to control the trailer in event of failure of the regular trailer hitch or coupling.

(2) When one (1) vehicle is towing another the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby. Said drawbar or other connection shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet from one (1) vehicle to the other except the connection between any two (2) vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered. The safety requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall apply to towed vehicles.

(3) When one (1) vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve (12) inches square.

(4) No more than three (3) vehicles in combination shall be towed by saddle-mounts, provided the overall length of the towing and towed vehicles shall not exceed seventy-five (75) feet in length. No more than one (1) motor vehicle shall be towed by tow bar.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.